The Verity, a British freighter, met its demise when it crashed into the larger cargo vessel, the Polesie, approximately 14 nautical miles southwest of the German island of Helgoland.
Loaded with steel coils, the Verity was en route from Bremen, Germany, to the English harbor of Immingham.
Despite the collision, the Polesie, flying the flag of the Bahamas, managed to stay afloat, sheltering 22 individuals. Regrettably, one crew member perished, two were successfully saved, while four are still unaccounted for from the Verity.
At around 5:20 a.m., the Verity’s signal vanished, indicating its submergence. Soon after, debris was found.
Following the accident, a search and rescue mission commenced, involving nine vessels, an airplane, and the Iona, a cruise ship owned by P&O. Despite the day-long search, no survivors were found by multiple rescue ships and aircraft.
Alongside two recovery boats, the Iona, situated close by, changed its route to aid in the rescue efforts.
P&O Cruises spokesperson has emphasized their moral and legal responsibilities, affirming that the search and rescue operation involving the Iona ship was taking place off the coast of Germany.
Furthermore, they stated that Iona’s compliance with international maritime law and their commitment to fulfilling their moral and legal obligations remains unwavering. Despite this ongoing incident, Iona’s planned voyage will proceed as scheduled, with no anticipated impact on today‘s planned stop in Rotterdam or the subsequent itinerary.
Germany’s Central Command for Maritime Emergencies, led by Robby Renner, has expressed hope that the remaining crew members may still be found alive within a section of the vessel that remains intact. Renner has reassured the public that his team is exerting every possible effort to rescue them, leaving no stone unturned.
